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AV Pre/Processor vs 2 Channel Pre-Amp - Sound Quality

Ok, so let’s say we have the most amazing separate 2 channel amp, and we connect it to an AV Processor, and then to a dedicated 2 channel preamplifier separate specifically for music play. Are we really going to hear a difference at say the $2000 level?
craigert
craigert OP
147 posts
 
If I want to hook up something to my current AV receiver it looks like the Parasound Hint6 is the way to go.
soix
8,741 posts
 
"Soix, I have a Monitor Audio 12” Silver Series Sub. I use a Sony BD 
player for movies right now, soon to be PS4 Slim, and music I have a hard drive with Apple lossless connected to my Netgear
Nighthawk router."

So, is there a DAC involved here or are you planning on using the DAC in the prepro or integrated?


caphill
665 posts
 
@craigert

The Classe Sigma 2200i digital stereo integrated amp currently retails for $5500 brand new or unless if you can find a used one somewhere then can be had for around $3500 or so. Just keep an eye on it here on Audiogon and somewhere else. This will be a perfect choice for you since you only have 2.1 setup in your living room anyway. This Classe Sigma 2200i is a 2.1 unit. It has bass management, subwoofer output, manual PEQ, HDMI inputs for your AV sources, USB input for your digital music files, spdif & Toslink inputs as well as a pair of analog audio inputs (XLR & RCA). I highly recommend using its USB input for your digital music sources cause its USB input will sound the best. And get a high quality USB cable for that and you will be amazed by the sonic result when using its rear USB input. This unit is optimized for use with its USB input for your digital music files playbacks.

However, the Classe Sigma 2200i will digitize its analog audio inputs, so if you have analog sources such as turntable + phonostage pre, well......the Classe Sigma 2200i is not for you. You don’t want your turntable to be digitized.

Its HDMI switch board supports 4k video pass through. But the Sigma 2200i does not decode surround sound formats eg Dolby Digital, Dolby True-HD, Dolby Atmos, DTS, DTS HD-Master Audio, etc. This is a stereo digital integrated amp.

The sound is very resolved, clean, great clarity, details and nuances, great soundstage sizes, stereo imaging, it excels in PRAT (Pace Rhythm And Timing), it has rhythmic drive and speed.
It has plenty of power too. It’s rated at 200 wpc @ 8 ohms and 400 wpc @ 4 ohms with both channels driven. It uses classs D design amplifier. Classe designs its own proprietary class D circuitry.

The Classe Sigma 2200i digital stereo integrated amp is all you need for your 2.1 setup. It has more than enough HDMI inputs that you will ever need for your AV or video sources such as your BD player, cable TV box and other AV or video sources, plus a really well implemented USB input for your digital music files playbacks. And it does bass management crossover and a subwoofer out. And it sounded great and will drive your Monitor Gold speakers with ease.

auxinput
2,920 posts
 

I think both the Parasound Integrated and the Classe 2200i could be potential solutions. 

The Classe is going to have a superior DAC/preamp stage.  Much more resolution / attack / detail.  However, the amp part is Class D, which does has it's own unique sound.  And, like caphill stated, it does not have a phono preamp input -- and it's not a true analog preamp because it will convert all analog inputs to digital before processing.  All bass management is done in DSP and then sent to the units internal DAC.  Cost is higher, like caphill stated.  It's not a true "HT Bypass" preamp.

The Parasound is a true analog preamp.  Has a true analog crossover.  With phono preamp input.  Pretty much a "jack of all trades" integrated.  However, it is warmer sounding than the Classe with softer high frequency response.  But it's a true Class AB amp instead of Class D.  I suppose it's possible that the Parasound will sound more "analog" than the Classe, but it will be a "softer" analog.  The DAC that is built into the Parasound integrated/preamps is very low quality.  So it's best to use an external DAC for 2-channel audio.

Parasound integrated is much cheaper.  The previous version can be had used for $2k or under.  There's actually one on usaudiomart for $1700 right now.  The new HINT6 has some minor improvements (resistor ladder volume, increase phono gain), but not hugely significant.  HINT6 retail price is at $3k, so I suppose it's all about budget.

caphill
665 posts
 
But the OP (craigert) needed HDMI inputs for his AV or video sources such as his BD player, cable TV box TiVo, etc. The Parasound integrated lacks HDMI switchings. Only few stereo integrated amps would have HDMI switchings. The Classe Sigma 2200i is one of them. And its HDMI switching equipped with the latest video formats eg 4k pass through, hdcp 2.2. If the OP went with the Classe Sigma 2200i integrated amp he can eliminate his Pioneer av receiver and just use the Classe Sigma 2200i for both his AV or video sources and digital music files sources. In the end, it will simplify his setup for his living room/TV by having just one box that does everything well. 

The Sigma 2200i does not have DAC. The digital signal is kept in digital domain all the way through the amplifier output buffer, which will then be converted to analog for speakers to use. Cause the amplifier section is a digital one and Classe uses DSP to regulate its class D amplifier. That’s why it will digitize its analog audio inputs. Classe claimed that the unique design in the Sigma 2200i integrated is aimed to preserve the digital signal purity throughout its signal paths.

In regards to the Classe’s own proprietary class D amplifier design, the sound is actually pretty analog with smooth highs, very clean very transparent and lots of air and spaces between instruments.
The bass was deep extended, very articulate and very detailed and very well controlled. But IMO it slightly lacks the bass and mid-bass power and mid-range bloom and bottom end grunt.
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